Jeremiah 50:43

KJV

The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them, and his hands waxed feeble: anguish took hold of him, [and] pangs as of a woman in travail.

KJV (with Strong's)

The king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} hath heard {H8085} the report {H8088} of them, and his hands {H3027} waxed feeble {H7503}: anguish {H6869} took hold {H2388} of him, and pangs {H2427} as of a woman in travail {H3205}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The king of Bavel has heard news of them; his hands droop, helpless. Anguish seizes hold of him and pain, like a woman in labor.

Berean Standard Bible

The king of Babylon has heard the report, and his hands hang limp. Anguish has gripped him, pain like that of a woman in labor.

American Standard Version

The king of Babylon hath heard the tidings of them, and his hands wax feeble: anguish hath taken hold of him, and pangs as of a woman in travail.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 50:43 delivers a potent prophetic vision of the king of Babylon's sudden and debilitating terror upon receiving news of an impending invasion. This verse, embedded within a sweeping oracle against Babylon's pride and impending destruction, vividly portrays the monarch's physical and psychological collapse, as his strength drains away and he is seized by an inescapable anguish likened to the excruciating pains of childbirth. It underscores the absolute certainty and divine origin of God's judgment against the once-invincible empire, demonstrating that even the most formidable earthly power is utterly helpless before the decree of the Almighty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 50:43 is a climactic moment within the extensive oracle against Babylon, which spans chapters 50 and 51. This prophecy immediately follows a section detailing the restoration of Israel and Judah, creating a dramatic theological contrast between God's enduring covenant faithfulness to His people and His severe, impending judgment upon their oppressor. The verses preceding 50:43 describe the assembly of nations against Babylon (e.g., [Jeremiah 50:9](/jeremiah/50-9 "Jeremiah 50:9 - Nations Gather Against Babylon")), the sounds of battle and the desolation that will befall the city (e.g., [Jeremiah 50:22](/jeremiah/50-22 "Jeremiah 50:22 - The Sound of Battle")), and the complete ruin and uninhabited state of Babylon (e.g., [Jeremiah 50:39-40](/jeremiah/50-39-40 "Jeremiah 50:39-40 - Babylon's Desolation")). Jeremiah 50:43 specifically zeroes in on the psychological and physical impact of this catastrophic invasion on Babylon's leadership, serving as a powerful culmination to the description of their military and political unraveling, echoing earlier prophetic warnings of divine retribution against the proud.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At the time Jeremiah delivered this prophecy, Babylon stood as the undisputed global superpower, having conquered Judah and carried its people into exile. Under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, the Neo-Babylonian Empire was renowned for its immense military strength, vast wealth, and seemingly impregnable fortifications. The city of Babylon itself was an engineering marvel, boasting massive double walls and the Euphrates River flowing through its heart, fostering a deep-seated sense of invulnerability among its inhabitants. Culturally, Babylonian kings were revered as supreme rulers, often claiming divine favor and absolute authority, embodying the might and glory of their empire. Therefore, the prophetic depiction of the Babylonian king's profound fear and debilitating feebleness in Jeremiah 50:43 would have been an utterly shocking and humiliating image to its original audience, signifying the complete and irreversible reversal of their perceived power, status, and destiny. The prophecy anticipates the historical conquest of Babylon by Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BC, an event vividly recounted in [Daniel 5](/daniel/5 "Daniel 5 - The Fall of Belshazzar").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic corpus. It emphatically highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating that God is the ultimate ruler over all nations, possessing the power to raise up and cast down empires according to His righteous will (compare [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")). The vivid imagery of the king's paralyzing fear underscores the theme of **Reversal of Fortune**, where the proud and arrogant are inevitably brought low, and those who once inflicted terror are themselves consumed by it (compare the fall of the king of Babylon in [Isaiah 14:12-15](/isaiah/14-12-15 "Isaiah 14:12-15 - The Fall of the Morning Star")). Furthermore, the graphic description of "pangs as of a woman in travail" reinforces the theme of **Inevitable and Sudden Destruction**, a recurring prophetic motif signifying an inescapable and agonizing judgment that arrives unexpectedly, much like labor pains (as seen in [1 Thessalonians 5:3](/1_thessalonians/5-3 "1 Thessalonians 5:3 - Sudden Destruction")). The verse also subtly touches upon the theme of **Justice for God's People**, as Babylon's catastrophic fall ultimately means deliverance and vindication for Judah, fulfilling God's promise to avenge His chosen nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **king (Hebrew, _melek'_):** This term (H4428) denotes a monarch or sovereign ruler. In the context of Babylon, it refers to the supreme authority, embodying the empire's power, pride, and perceived invincibility. The fact that *the king* is affected emphasizes the complete collapse of the entire system, as its very head is incapacitated.
* **hands (Hebrew, _yâd'_):** This word (H3027), while literally referring to the physical hand, is used here figuratively to represent power, strength, capability, and the ability to act or control. When the king's "hands waxed feeble," it signifies a complete loss of his capacity to command, defend, or effectively govern, indicating a total collapse of his authority and military effectiveness. It implies a state of utter helplessness and paralysis.
* **waxed feeble (Hebrew, _râphâh'_):** This verb (H7503) means to slacken, become weak, or lose courage. It paints a picture of a gradual yet complete erosion of strength and resolve. Applied to the king's hands, it emphasizes his inability to grasp, fight, or even lead, illustrating a profound internal and external weakening in the face of the dire report.
* **pangs (Hebrew, _chîyl'_):** This term (H2427), often referring to a throe, specifically the intense pain of childbirth, conveys an excruciating, unavoidable, and overwhelming suffering. It is a pain that is both sudden in its onset and all-consuming in its nature, leaving the sufferer completely incapacitated and focused solely on the agony. The use of this word highlights the inescapable and agonizing nature of the king's terror.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The king of Babylon hath heard the report of them":** This opening clause immediately establishes the central figure and the catalyst for his reaction. The "king of Babylon," the epitome of earthly power and pride, is the one receiving the devastating intelligence. The "report of them" refers to the approaching enemy forces, likely the Medes and Persians, whose advance is now confirmed and undeniable. This moment of hearing marks the pivotal turning point from perceived security to imminent doom.
* **"and his hands waxed feeble":** This phrase describes the immediate, debilitating physical and psychological effect of the news. The king's hands, symbolic of his power, control, and ability to act or fight, become weak and useless. This signifies a profound loss of resolve, courage, and effective leadership, rendering him utterly powerless in the face of the overwhelming threat. It's a complete paralysis of his capacity to respond.
* **"anguish took hold of him":** This clause intensifies the description of the king's internal state. "Anguish" (H6869, _tsârâh'_) denotes deep distress, trouble, and a sense of being tightly constrained. It suggests an overwhelming sense of dread and torment that seizes him completely, leaving no room for rational thought, strategic planning, or decisive action. It's a profound psychological grip that consumes him.
* **"and pangs as of a woman in travail":** This powerful and graphic simile provides the ultimate expression of the king's suffering. The "pangs" (H2427, _chîyl'_) of a woman in childbirth are universally understood as excruciating, unavoidable, and all-consuming. This imagery conveys the sudden, intense, and inescapable nature of the terror and suffering that grips the king, leaving him utterly incapacitated and helpless, much like a woman in the throes of labor. It underscores the certainty and severity of the judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 50:43 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey the king of Babylon's utter terror and the certainty of his empire's catastrophic downfall. The most striking and memorable is the **simile** "pangs as of a woman in travail." This vivid comparison is a common biblical idiom for sudden, inescapable, and agonizing distress, emphasizing the overwhelming and incapacitating nature of the fear that seizes the king. It highlights the universality of such profound pain and its ability to render even the most powerful person utterly helpless. Additionally, **synecdoche** is present in "his hands waxed feeble," where "hands" stand for the king's entire capacity for action, power, and leadership. This emphasizes the complete paralysis of his authority and his inability to respond effectively. The verse also utilizes **hyperbole** to stress the extremity of the king's reaction, portraying a ruler who is not merely afraid but utterly shattered and incapacitated by the news, thereby underscoring the immense magnitude and divine certainty of God's judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 50:43 serves as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty and the transient, fragile nature of all earthly power. It vividly illustrates that no human empire, regardless of its military might, vast wealth, or perceived invincibility, can ultimately withstand the righteous judgment of God. The king of Babylon, who once terrorized and enslaved nations, is here reduced to a state of utter helplessness and paralyzing fear, demonstrating unequivocally that God alone holds ultimate authority over the rise and fall of kingdoms. This dramatic reversal of fortune is a recurring and central theme in biblical prophecy, consistently affirming God's perfect justice and His unwavering commitment to delivering His people from oppression. The anguish and pangs experienced by the king are a direct, inescapable consequence of his nation's immense pride, idolatry, and cruelty, serving as a stark and terrifying reminder that accountability before the Almighty is not only inevitable but also agonizingly certain.

* [Isaiah 13:6-8](/isaiah/13-6-8 "Isaiah 13:6-8 - The Day of the Lord and Pangs")
* [Psalm 76:12](/psalm/76-12 "Psalm 76:12 - He Cuts Off the Spirit of Princes")
* [Daniel 5:26-31](/daniel/5-26-31 "Daniel 5:26-31 - The Writing on the Wall and Babylon's Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 50:43 offers a sobering and timeless reflection on the inherent fragility of human power and the absolute certainty of divine judgment. For us today, it serves as a powerful and necessary reminder not to place our ultimate trust, security, or hope in earthly institutions, political leaders, military might, or even our own perceived strength and abilities. All these, no matter how formidable they appear, are ultimately temporary, fallible, and subject to God's sovereign and immutable will. Instead, our unwavering confidence and steadfast hope should rest solely in the unchanging character and unfailing promises of God, who alone is truly mighty, eternal, and utterly trustworthy. This verse profoundly encourages humility, urging us to acknowledge God's supreme authority and active involvement in all aspects of life, from the global stage to our personal circumstances. It also provides immense comfort and reassurance to those who feel oppressed, marginalized, or overwhelmed by powerful, seemingly invincible forces, reminding them that God sees injustice, hears the cries of His people, and will, in His perfect timing and according to His righteous plan, bring about justice and deliverance. The paralyzing fear that grips the king of Babylon stands in stark contrast to the profound peace and steadfast hope available to those who trust in the Lord, even in the face of adversity and uncertainty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to place my trust in human strength, worldly systems, or fleeting circumstances rather than in God's ultimate sovereignty?**
* **How does the swift and debilitating fear of the king of Babylon challenge my own anxieties or fears about future uncertainties, and what does it teach me about true security?**
* **What profound lessons can I draw from Babylon's dramatic downfall about the dangers of pride, arrogance, and the inevitability of accountability before a holy God?**
* **How can reflecting on God's just judgment against Babylon deepen my appreciation for His boundless mercy, grace, and patience extended to me in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why is the king of Babylon's fear described using such vivid imagery, specifically "pangs as of a woman in travail"?**

Answer: The vivid imagery, particularly the simile "pangs as of a woman in travail," is employed to convey the extreme, inescapable, and utterly incapacitating nature of the king's fear and anguish. This is a common and powerful prophetic metaphor (e.g., [Isaiah 13:8](/isaiah/13-8 "Isaiah 13:8 - Anguish and Pangs")) that emphasizes the suddenness, intensity, and all-consuming quality of the distress, leaving absolutely no room for escape, resistance, or rational response. It highlights that the fear is not merely psychological but also physically debilitating, much like the unavoidable pain of childbirth. This potent language underscores the absolute certainty and severity of God's judgment against Babylon, demonstrating that even the most powerful earthly ruler is utterly helpless and broken before divine decree. The aim is to shock the audience and powerfully illustrate the dramatic reversal of fortune for the once-mighty and arrogant empire.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 50:43, with its depiction of a mighty king brought low by paralyzing fear and anguish, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the stark and glorious contrast between the transient nature of earthly rulers and the eternal reign of the true King, Jesus Christ. The king of Babylon's hands wax feeble, and he is seized by anguish at the mere "report" of an earthly army, foreshadowing the ultimate futility and fragility of all human power and pride set against the sovereign will of God. In profound contrast, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), willingly submitted to the ultimate anguish and suffering of the cross, not out of fear of an earthly foe, but out of perfect love and obedience, precisely to conquer sin, death, and the powers of darkness (see [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). While earthly kings tremble before impending judgment, Christ is the [righteous Judge](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Son as Judge") before whom every knee will one day bow, whether in willing submission or fearful acknowledgment (as in [Romans 14:11](/romans/14-11 "Romans 14:11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")). The "report" that terrifies the king of Babylon is but a faint echo of the final trumpet call that will announce Christ's victorious return, when all enemies will be put under His feet and His kingdom will be fully established (see [1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ Must Reign")). The fear and pangs experienced by the Babylonian king are a microcosm of the terror that will grip all those who reject God's gracious rule, while those who trust in Christ find not anguish, but [perfect peace](/isaiah/26-3 "Isaiah 26:3 - Perfect Peace") and eternal security in His unshakable kingdom (as promised in [Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - An Unshakable Kingdom")), a peace that transcends all earthly reports of trouble.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 51:31

One post shall run to meet another, and one messenger to meet another, to shew the king of Babylon that his city is taken at [one] end,

Jeremiah 49:24

Damascus is waxed feeble, [and] turneth herself to flee, and fear hath seized on [her]: anguish and sorrows have taken her, as a woman in travail.

Jeremiah 49:22

Behold, he shall come up and fly as the eagle, and spread his wings over Bozrah: and at that day shall the heart of the mighty men of Edom be as the heart of a woman in her pangs.

Isaiah 13:6

¶ Howl ye; for the day of the LORD [is] at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Isaiah 13:8

And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces [shall be as] flames.

Daniel 5:5

In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaister of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.

Daniel 5:6

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.